MEDIA RELEASE

Business, community & government rally to raise $300,000 at BVC Premier’s Scholarship Luncheon

CALGARY, November 27, 2009 – CALGARY—Local donors and business leaders opened their hearts and wallets this afternoon and gave $109,000 to help Bow Valley College (BVC) in its commitment to improving the lives of its students. With a matching Government of Alberta grant from the Access to the Future Fund, that amount totals over $300,000.

The 16th annual Premier’s Scholarship Luncheon, held at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, is a major fundraiser for BVC’s scholarships. Over the past 16 years and through matching grants from the Alberta government, this luncheon has raised more than $2 million to help BVC students reach their academic, career, and life goals.

“This event demonstrates the ongoing commitment to education Premier Stelmach, our donors, and our supporters share,” said Sharon Carry, BVC President and CEO. “Scholarships and bursaries, like those awarded today, help build better futures for our students, their families, and their communities.”

To qualify for the Premier’s Scholarship, students had to display academic excellence, qualities of citizenship, and financial need. The 2009 recipients of the Premier’s Scholarship are (recipient biographies attached):

• Jamie Duke, Academic Foundations - bio


• Taryn Beutler, Business and Industry - bio


• Marina Maidanova, English as a Second Language - bio


• Nichelle Abbott, Health and Community Care - bio

“Bow Valley College is a key part of a seamless, innovative education system, producing graduates ready to join Alberta’s workforce right from the day they leave the campus,” stated Premier Stelmach. “There is opportunity for everyone here, from new immigrants to new students.”

At the luncheon, Board Chair Scott Thon announced the creation of the Ed Stelmach Award. It will be given to a student from rural Alberta who demonstrates excellent attendance, academic excellence, and perseverance. The first recipient of this award will be announced at BVC’s Celebrating Student Futures event in May 2010.

Bow Valley College--Calgary and region’s Comprehensive Community College--with more than 11,000 full- and part-time students, is a leader in health and business career training, adult upgrading, and English as a Second Language. BVC’s Test of Workplace Essential Skills (TOWES), workplace training for immigrant professionals, and employment services provide a wide-range of services for business and professionals. Established in 1965, Bow Valley College is in the midst of a multimillion-dollar expansion, creating state-of-the-art facilities and doubling its student capacity by the year 2012.